A Case of Eagle Syndrome and its Homoeopathic Management

Eagle syndrome refers to elongation of the styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. Normal length of styloid process is 2.5cm. When the length of styloid becomes more than 3cm it can be considered as elongated. It was first described by Watt Eagle in 1937. Ossification of the stylohyoid ligament was described by an Italian anatomist Pietro Mrchetti in the17th century.

Epidemiology:

An elongated styloid process occurs in about 4% of population. In this, only 4-10.3% will be symptomatic. Incidence is about 0.16% with a female: male ratio of 3:1.

Causes:

Surgical trauma or mechanical stress, Tonsillectomy, pharyngeal trauma. Local chronic irritation leading to proliferation of osseous tissue at the insertion of the stylohyoid ligament

Idiopathic

Congenital due to persistence of cartilaginous elements of precursors of styloid process

Pathophysiology:

Signs and symptoms:

Classic eagle syndrome: Due to fibrous tissue resulting in distortion of the cranial nerve endings, seen after pharyngeal trauma or tonsillectomy.

Patient presented with the complaints of neurological pain over the left post auricular region radiating to neck and left temporal region over the last year, which increased the last 3 days. Complaint of pain is more on reading or straining neck for a long time, at night, cold weather, sleeping on left side and is better by rest. She also complaints of occasional vertigo with severe pain.

There is no history of any visual disturbance, nausea or vomiting, no history of syncopal attacks, no history of head injury.

Past medical and treatment history: nothing significant

Allergic history: not allergic to any food or drug

Personal history:

diet: mixed diet, regular eating habits

Appetite: good

Thirst: 2 l/day

Cravings: spicy

Aversion: cucumber, spinach

Bowel and bladder habits: regular

Sleep: good, occasionally disturbed with complaints

Thermally: chilly

General physical examination:

Moderately built and nourished

Well oriented with time, place, and person.

No signs of pallor cyanosis, clubbing, icterus, oedema or lymphadenopathy

Vital signs:

Tempt.: afebrile at the time of examination

B.P: 130/80 mm of Hg

Pulse: 76 b/mint

Local examination:

Head and Neck:

No swelling over the left side of the neck

No restriction of movements

On palpation: no tenderness, no palpable mass, no lymphadenopathies.

Investigations done: CT scan:

Bilateral elongated styloid process

Calcified stylohyoid ligament on right side

Generalized periodontitis

Management of the case:

As there is an irreversible pathological change, ie elongation of bone with calcification of ligament, a palliative approach was adopted corresponding to the 7th observation of Kent, “full time amelioration of the patient, yet no special relief ”. Remedy acts favourably and the patient will be relived of symptoms in regard to intensity of pain and progress of disease and possible complications.

Totality:

Neuralgic pain over the left side of head

< Strain, pressure, night

rest

Prescription: 2.5.2017 Natrum sulph 200 – 2pks/ once in a wk

No ii pills 3 – 3 – 3 (Explain your abbreviations) (plain globules)

Natrum sulph was selected mostly based on 1) sycotic miasm – overgrowth of bone tissue and calcification. Also chronic periodontits. Hydrogenoid constitution indicated by aggravations form cold, cucumber disagrees, aggt. watery food. Symptoms like pain over the left side of head which is piercing and like electric Agravation on strain of muscles, pressure, cold weather, night, and better by rest. Also,painless infection of gums.

Approach to this case is a palliative one. Mechanical compression cannot be removed completely with our medication, but the remedy will act like an anti miasmatic and constitutional as it covers miasm, constitution and symptoms. What we can do is reduce or slow down the further progress and management of acute episodes if any comes up. She was under treatment from May and never presented with any acute exacerbations till December. No symptoms suggestive of vascular compression either. About duration of medication, we slowly reduced the medicine. First it was once in a week then once in 15 days, then once in a month. I plan to give placebo and if she is better will stop medicine and wait .

1st Follow up: 16.5.2017

Complaints of pain over the left side of the neck reduced in intensity

No recent episodes of giddiness

Generals good

No new complaints.

Prescription: Nat sulph 200

4pks/ once in a week

No ii pills

3 – 3 – 3

2nd follow up: 21.6.2017

Complaints of pain over the left side of the head completely better, no recent attacks of pain